Tooth-separator.



J. W. IVORY.

TOOTH SBPARATOR. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1912,

1,048,972. Patented Dec.31,1912.

UNTTED STATES PATENT @FFTQE JAMES W. IVORY, OE PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA.

TOOTH-SEPARATOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES TV. IvonY, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Tooth-Separator, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention consists of a separator for teeth comprising a pair offrames with beaks thereon adapted to enter the space between adjacentteeth, and means for spreadingapartsaid frames, the latter being formedof articulated sections whereby they may be opened for convenience inapplying the implement over the teeth and removing it therefrom, andmeans for coupling the sections of the frame each as one rendering itrigid after adjustment in position.

The invention is satisfactorily illustrated in the accompanying drawing,but the im portant instrumentalities thereof may be varied, and so it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific arrangement and organization shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a tooth separator embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 represents a section on line ww Fig. 1. Fig. 3represents a section on line y z Fig. 1. Fig. 4 represents a sect-ionsimilar to Fig. 2, the frame therein being opened out. Figs. 5, 6 and 7represent views show ing other means for coupling the sections of theframe.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

Referring to the drawings, A and B designate beaks which are formedrespectively on the bases of opposite arch-shaped frames C, and adaptedto have their points meet or approximately meet at or about the spacebetween adjacent teeth to be separated. The frames C are separated attheir crowns and connected there by comparatively horizontal pivots D asjoints forming articulated sections which permit the opening and closingof the sections of each frame for purposes to be hereinafter stated.

E designates sleeves which are fitted over the sections of the frame atthe pivotal portions thereof, thus locking said sect-ions rendering theframes comparatively integral, it being evident that when the sleevesare moved a sufiicient distance the pivotal portions of the frames areuncovered whereby the sections of the frame are adapted to beSpecification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 7, 1912 Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

Serial No. 682,301.

moved on their pivots so as to be opened and closed or expanded andcontracted, but when the frames are in closed condition, the sleeves aremoved over the joints of the sections, thus locking the latter, andrendering each frame rigid as one piece.

In order to limit the movement of the sleeves E in one direction, thesections of the frame are provided adjacent to their joints or pivotswith studs or projections F which are so disposed that when the sleevesare moved to cover said joints and cause the locking of the sections,they abut against said studs, the effect of which is evident.

At or about the bases of the frames C are ears G which are internallythreaded for engagement of the threaded ends of the screws H whichextend transversely or at an angle to said beaks A, B back of thelatter, it being noticed that the threads of said ears and screws arepitched right and left, so that when the screws are operated in onedirection, the frames may be pushed apart, and in the other directionthey may be drawn together. In either case when said frames are operatedby said screws the former move to and from each other in comparativelyparallel lines without lateral strain on said screws, it being noticedthat while the sections of each frame are pivotally jointed as has beenstated, the joints are rendered rigid by the sleeves E which embrace theportions of said sections over the pivots D, and so look the connectedsections as one as above stated. WVhen said sleeves are moved in therequired direction, the sections of the frames are released from thesame and they may be opened or widened by raising so as to place thedevice in position over opposite teeth to be operated upon and disposethe companion beaks of the 0pposite frames into the space between saidteeth relatively at the labial and lingual sides thereof. Then thesections are lowered and so closed and the sleeves moved over the jointsof the same, thus locking the sections and rendering each framecomparatively rigid, while the sleeves rest on the faces of adjacentteeth. The screws are then operated whereby the beaks first contact withthe teeth and as they are moved from each other with the frames thatcarry them they press said teeth in opposite directions and so separatethem. When the screws are rotated in reverse direction, the frames andconsequently the beaks are brought together whereby the teeth arerelieved of the separating pressure of the former. Then the sleeves aremoved back whereby the joints of the sections of the frames areunlocked, and the sections may be opened, thus permitting the device tobe carried over the teeth and so removed there from.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown another means for coupling the sections ofthe frame in which I provide an extension J in each section, in the formof a loop, and 1 provide a bolt or bar K which is mo-vably mounted inthe loops and serves to couple the frames together. When the bar or boltK is moved in the position shown in dot-ted lines, Fig. 5, it will beunderstood that the sections are uncoupled, and 1 preferably provide aslot L in the bolt in which is seated a transversely extending pin Mcarried by one of the loops, which pin allows the bar to slide on it ineither direction of its motion and prevents improper disconnection andloss of said bar when drawn out to full extent.

In Fig. 7 I have shown another means for coupling the sections of theframe, in which I provide a sleeve N similar to the sleeve E and providethe same with an ear P in which is fitted the set screw Q; which may betightened against the section beneath the same, it being understood thatwhen the sleeve is moved to complete the sections and said screwproperly operated the sleeve will be limited in its mot-ion and lockedin its adjusted position.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a dental tooth separating device, a plurality of beaks, framesadapted to carry said beaks, and means on the frames for operating thelatter to spread said beaks,

said frames being composed of articulated sections each formed ofmembers pivoted together at their inner ends, said beaks being on theouter ends of the sections and said means being on said outer endsadjacent to said beaks.

2. A dental tooth separator composed of a plurality of frames adapted tobe moved in opposite directions in comparatively parallel lines,inturned beaks on said frames at the bases thereof, and screws joiningopposite bases and extending at an angle to said beaks, said framesbeing formed each of articulate sections, and means for closing thejoints of said sections and rendering said sections rigid as one.

3. In a dental tooth separating device, a plurality of beaks, framesadapted to carry the same, said frames being formed of articulatesections, means for moving said frames to spread said beaks, and meansfor coupling said sections and connecting them as one.

l. in a dental tooth separating device, a plurality of beaks, framesadapted to carry the same, means on the frame for operating the same tomove the beaks in opposite directions, and slides on the sectionsadapted to embrace the pivotal portions thereof and couple the sectionsas one.

5. In a dental tooth separating device, a plurality of beaks, framesadapted to carry the same, means on the frame for operating the same tomove the beaks in opposite di rections, and slides on the sectionsadapted to embrace the pivotal portions thereof and couple the sectionas one, and means for con trolling said slides in the closing positionsthereof over the joints of the frames.

JAMES W. IVORY.

"Witnesses JOHN A. WVIEDnRsHnIM, C. D. MOVAY.

A Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

